Automatic self-operating flushing valve



A. BULLOCK AUTOMATIC SELF OPERATING FLUSHING VALVE Aug. 6, 1929.

Filed July 21 Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

UNITED STATES ALBERT BULLOCK, 015 LOS ANGIQLES, CALIFORNIA.

AUTOMATIC SELF-OPERATING FLUSHING VALVE.

Application filed July 21,

This invention relates to flushing valves and relates more closely to self-operating flushing valves.

In certain classes of plumbing such as toilets and urinals, means for flushing these certain receptacles must be provided. There are various types of flushing means which may be used, a very common means being the flushing valve type which has superseded the old reservoir type of flushing means.

In some installations of this kind such as in schools and public places, self actuated flushing means are provided to maintain the sanitary condition thereof. But to my knowledge there has been no successfiill means to succeed the old reservoir type which is automatically operated by means of a float arrangement.

It is an object of my invention to provide a flushing valve which will be self'operating, and which will. operate at regular intervals.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in a valve of this character a timing means which will govern the periods of operation and inoperation of the valve.

Additional advantages of the invention and further details thereof will. be made evident hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section thru the preferred form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on a plane represented by the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view partially in section illustrating an alternative form of my invention.

As shown in Fig. 1, 11 represents a valve body which has an inlet 12 and an outlet 13.

and which has chambers 15 and 16 formed therein. In the chamber 15 is a valve seat 18 which closed by the valve 19, the valve be in g formed integral with the valve actuating piston 20 which slides in the chamber and which is provided with a cup gasket 21 to form a non-leaking engagement between the piston and the wall of the chamber 15. A bypass 23 is also provided in the piston 20 so the water entering thru the inlet 12 will fill the portion of the chamber above the piston as well as below. Because of the fact that the area of the top of the piston is greater than that of the valve opening, the water will exert more pressure on the top thereof. thereby pressurably holding the valve 19 in 1925. Serial No. 45,137.

its seat 18. Thru an orifice 2 1 providi-al in the wall between the chambers 1F and 16, the water may pass, filling the portion of the chamber 16 above the disc valve 25 which seats on the valve seat 26 mounted in the upper part of the chamber 16. A small hole 27 is provided in this valve 25 thru which a small flow of water may pass, the hole being small enough so that the water passing therethru will not be enough to relieve the pressure on the top of the valve actuating piston 20 and open the valve 19. The water passing thru the hole 27 accumulate-s above the lever actuating piston 29 located in the chamber 16, pressing it downwardly against the action of the spring 30, the function of which is to resiliently retain the piston 29 in the position shown. As the lever actuating piston 29 is forced lown .vardly in the chamber 16 by the water pressure tl'iereom the projcction 32 formed on the lower face of the piston first engages a spring member 33 mounted on the arm 34: which a part of a lever 35. The lever 35 is pivoted on a pin 36 that extends thru thebody 11.. Next the projection compresses the member 33 until it engages the arm 34; of the lever 36 and forces it downwardly, at the same time the oppositelyextending arm 37 thereof moves up- '\vardly, which arm in. turn. moves the rod 39 resting at the end thereof. This rod 39 extends thru a bore 40 in the piston 20, and has a valve 4-1 at the upper end thereof which closes the bore 40 and which is held closed by the water pres-sure on the top thereof.

The rod being forced 'u nvardly lifts the valve 41 slightly from its seat and allows a flow of water to pass thru the bore i0. It will easily be seen that once the valve is partially lifted there will be some pressure on the bottom face thereof as well as on the top face. It will also be seen that altho the spring member 33, which has been compressed against the arm 34 by the projection 32 of the piston 29, has not enough strength to open the valve when all the pressure is on the top face thereof, it will however open the valve 4]. very quickly when assisted by the pressure of the water' on the under face thereof.

The valve 41, once fully opened, allows the water to very quickly pass thru the bore 40 and thru the/outlet 13. At this time the pressure on the top of the piston 29 is re lieved it will return to the position shown.

the valve 25 being lifted from its seat so as to allow a free passage for the returning water.

When the pressure on the top of the piston 20 is relieved, the piston is moved upwardly by the water pressure on the lower side thereof and thereby opens the valve 19 which allows the water to pass therethru and out the exit 13. The valve 41 remains open until substantially all the water in the chamber 16 and that portion of the chamber 15 above the valve 19 has been emptied therefrom, after which the valve 41 again seats itself closing the bore 10, vanes 43 being provided on the shaft 39 to guide the valve 41 to its proper seat.

As the water passes thru the chamber 15, because of the pressure thereof, a small quantity of water will be forced thru the by-pass 23 thereby gradually filling the chamber 15 above the piston 20 and that portion of the chamber 16 above theplate 25 until the piston 20 is forced down and the valve 1.9 made to seat at which time Water will flow thru the small orifice 27 and repeat the operation just described.

My invention also provides means for adjusting the time that the valve remains open and also the time that valy e remains closed. It will readily be seen that the time it takes to fill that portion of the chamber above the piston 20 governs the time the valve 19 remains open, therefore by increasing or decreasing the flow of water thru the by-pass 23 the valve may be made to stay open any desired. period of time. This regulating of the flow of water thru the by-pass 23 may be accomplished by adjusting the screw 45 provided therefor. The interval between the opening of the valve 19 may also be controlled in practically the same manner, that is by adjusting the screw 46. The flow of water thru the hole 27 may either be increased or decreased and likewise the time taken to force the piston 29 down till it opens the valve 11 thru the lever 35 may be either dccroased or increased.

When my invention is employed with certain receptacles, a small flow of water may be allowed to flow thru the valve, between flushing continuously, by providing a small orifice 5t) tttljtlttillll to the seat 18 as shown in Fig. 1.

My invention may also be manually operated. As shown in dotted lines, a lever 51 is pivoted on the pin 36 and extends downwardly. \Vhen it is necessary to operate the valve between the regular flushing periods the lever 51 is swung to the left and the valve thereby opened. This lever will in no way interrupt the automatic operation ofthe valve but will serve to an advantage inasmuch as the tendency of the lever 51 is to always be in the position shown and will therefore always return the lever 35 to the non-engaging position, as shown, after every operation thereof and thereby facilitate the closing of the valve 41.

An alternative form of the invention is shown in Fig. 3, the construction thereof being identical except for a slight diversity in the construction of the piston 29. lo this piston I provide a valve 60 which has a downwardly extended propection 61. this projee tion 61 accomplishes the same burpose as the projection in Fig. 1-. Upon the projection 61 engaging the lever 35, it opens the valve 60 as well as the valve 41; this allows the ater in. the chamber 16 to flow thru the opening 63 and makes it unnecessary for the water to travel back thru the valve -11 to make its exit.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an automatic flushing valve, the combination of: a primary cylinder having an inlet and an outlet opening; a member for closing said outlet opening, having a primary piston thereon slidable in said cylinder and a relief passage through said closing member for releasing through said outlet opening the liquid impounded behind said piston, there being walls forming an opening for permit ting a controlled flow of liquid behind said primary piston; a relief valve for closing said relief passage; a secondary cylinder; at secondary piston slidable in said secondary cylinder; walls forming an opening for permitting a controlled flow of liquid into said secondary cylinder behind said secondary piston to move it through said secondary cylinder; and means engaged by said secondary piston for opening said closing member to allow passage of liquid through said relief passage. i 2. In an automatic flushing valve. the eom-- bination of: a primary cylinder having an inlet and an outletopening; a valve member for closing said outlet opening, having a primary piston thereon slidable in said cylinder and a relief passage through said valve member for' releasing through said outlet opening the liquid impounded behind said piston. there being walls forming an opening for permitting a controlled How of liquid behind said primary piston; a relief valve for closing said relief passage; a secondary cylinder; at secondary piston slidable in said secondary cylinder; walls forming an opening for permitting a controlled flow of liquid into said secondary cylinder behind said secondary piston to move it through said secondary cylinder; means engaged by said secondary piston for opening said valve member to allow passage of liquid through said relief passage; means forming a passage be tween said primary cylinder and said secondary cylinder for permitting discharge of liquid from behind said secont lary piston when said relief valve member is opened; and means for returning said secondary piston to its initial position.

ltlll sit) 23. In an automatic flushing valve, the combination of: a primary cylinder having an inlet and an outlet opening; a valve member for closing said outlet opening, having a prin'uiry piston slidablc in said cylinder and a relief passage through said valve member for releasing through said outlet opening the liquid impounded behind said piston, there being walls forming an opening for permitting a controlled flow of liquid behind said primary piston; a relief valve for closing said relief passage; a secoinlary cylimiler; a secondary piston slidable in said secondary cylinder; walls forming an opening for permitting a controlled flow of liquid into said secondary cylinder behind said secondary piston to move it through said secondary cylinder; means engaged by said secondary piston for opening said valve member to allow passage of liquid through said relief passage; means forming a passage between said secondary cylinder and said primary cylinder for permitting discharge of liquid from behind said secondary piston When said relief valve is opened; means for returning said secondary piston to its initial position; and eheclova-lve m ams for permitting a: free flow of the liquid from behind said secondary piston but restricting the flow of liquid toward said secondary piston through said passage between said secondary cylinder and said nimary cylinder.

l. In an automatic flushing valve, the combination of: a prin'iary cylinder having an inlet and an outlet opening; a valve member for closing said outlet opening, having a primary piston thereon slidable in said cylinder and a relief passage through said valve member for releasing through said outlet opening the liquid impounded behind said piston, there being walls formin an opening for permitting a controlled flow of liquid behind said primary piston; a relief valve for closing said relief passage; a secondary cylinder; a secondary piston slidable in said secondary cylinder; walls forming an open: ing for permitting a controlled flow of liquid into said secondary cylinder behind said secondary piston to move it through said secondary cylinder; means engaged by said second.- ary piston for opening said closing member to allow passage of liquid through said relief passage; and manually operated means for opening said relief valve.

5. In an automatic flushing valve, the combination of: a primary cylinder having an inlet and an outlet opening; a valve member for closing said outlet opening, having a primary piston thereon slidable in said cylinder and a relief passage through said valve member for releasing through said outlet opening the liquid impounded behind said piston, there being vvalls forming an opening for permitting a controlled flow of liquid behind said primary piston; a relief valve for closing said relief mssage; a secondary cylinder; a secondary piston slidable in said secondary cylinder; walls forming an opening for permitting a controlled flow of liquid into said secondary cylinder behind said second ary piston to more it through said secondary cylinder; means engaged by said secondary piston for o 'iening said valve member to allow passage of liquid through said relief passage means forming a pas go between said primary cylinder and said sm'ondary cylinder for permitting a discharge of liquid from behind said secomlary piston when said relief valve member opened; means for returning said secondary piston to its initial position; and means whereby said relief valve maybe manually operated.

(5. In an automatic flushing valve, the combination of: a primary cylinder having an inlet and an outlet opening; a valve member for closing said outlet opening, having a ')r.imary piston slidable in said cylinder and a relief passage througli said valve member for releasing through said outlet opening the liquid impounded behind said piston, there being walls forming an opening for permit-- ting a controlled flow of liquid behind said primary )iston; a relief valve for closing said re ief passage; a secondary cylinder; a secondary piston slidable in said secondary cylinder; walls forming an opening for permitting a controlled flow of liquid into said secondary cylinder behind said secondary piston to move it through said secondary cylinder; means engaged by said sccomlary piston for opening said valve member to allow passage of liquid through said relief passage; means forming a passage between said primary cylinder and said secondary cylinder for permitting discharge of liquid. from behind said secondary piston when said relief valve is opened; means for returning said secondary piston to its initial position; checkvalve means for permitting a free flow of the liquid from behind said secondary piston but restricting the flow of liquid toward said secondary piston; and manually operated means for opening said relief valve.

7. In an automatic flushing valve, the combination of: a primary cylinder having an inlet and an outlet opening; a valve member for closing said outlet opening, having a primary piston slidable in said cylinder and a relief passage through said valve member for releasing tl'irough said outlet opening the liquid impounded behind said piston, there being Walls forming an opening for permitting a controlled flow of liquid behind said primary piston, with means for regulating this controlled flow; a relief valve for closing said relief passage; a secondary cylinder; a secondary piston slidable in said secondary cylinder; Walls forming an opening for permitting a controlled flow of liquid into said secondary cylinder behind said secondary pistonto move it through said sec-' ondary cylinder, with means for regulating this controlled flow; means engaged by said secondary piston for opening said valve member to allow passage of liquid through said relief passage; means forming a passage bet-ween said secondary cylinder and said primary cylinder for permitting discharge of liquid from behind said secondary piston when said relief valve is opened; means for returning said secondary piston to its initial position; and check-valve means for permitting a free flow of the liquid from behind said secondary piston but restricting the flow of liquid toward said secondary piston through said passage between said secondary cylinder and said primary cylinder.

8. A device of the character described adapted to be connected to a hydraulically actuated flush valve having a relief chamber and mechanically actuated means to release fluid therefrom so as to operate said valve including a slidable actuating stem, said device comprising an expansible chamber motor, a fluid inlet for said motor connected to the inlet of said valve and arranged to permit the passage of fluid slowly to said-motor, said motor having a fluid outlet connected to said relief chamber, said stem being disposed to be engaged and operated at an end of the travel of the motor.

9. A device of the character described adapted to be connected to a hydraulically actuated flush valve having a relief chamber, mechanically actuated means to release fluid from said relief chamber so as to operate said valve, and an actuating stem associated Wtih said means: an expansible chamber motor adapted to move said stem, a fluid inlet means for said motor connected to the inlet of said valve and arranged to permit the passage of fluid slowly to said motor, and said motor having a fluid outlet connected to said relief chamber, said stem being so disposed as to be engaged and operated at an end of the travel of said motor.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, having means auxiliary to said motor, equipped for external manual engagement by reason of its projection from the casing of said valve, for moving said stem so as to release the fluid from said relief chamber.

11. A device as claimed in claim 9, having spring means acting to relatively collapse said expansible chamber motor after the release of fluid therefrom through said relief chamber.

In witness whereof, I hereby aflix my signature at Los Angeles, this 2nd day of March, 1925.

ALBERT BULLOCK. 

